When winter finally arrives, snowfalls and blizzards become a regular occurrence. Apart from the stinging cold, it’s fun to ski and make snowmen during winter. However, significant issues arise when thick snow covers the walkways, driveways, and other surfaces around your home.
That’s why snow throwers are so important – they help to dislodge and remove thick snow more than 20 inches deep, allowing residents to walk around the compound with increased ease.
Working principles of dual stage snow throwers
Snow blowers (sometimes referred to as snow throwers) are unique machines that effectively dislodge and remove snow from unwanted areas such as roadways, walkways, driveways, and railroad tracks. The first practical snow throwing machine was invented in 1925 by a man called Arthur Sicard.
There are two broad classes of snow throwers: single stage and dual stage throwers. The key difference between these two types of throwers lies in the auger (this is a set of sturdy blades located at the front that collect and grind up snow).
In single stage blowers, the auger directly touches the ground, allowing the machine to pull snow in and channel it out via the discharge chute.
Dual stage throwers (or 2-stage snow blowers), on the other hand, don’t have their augers touching the ground. They’re more effective when handling deep, thick snow and are preferred when working on unpaved surfaces.
The Briggs and Stratton 1696619 is an impressive dual stage snow thrower that performs exceptionally. Here is a detailed review of this product:
Key features of Briggs and Stratton 1696619 Dual-Stage 250cc Snow Thrower
The Briggs and Stratton 1696619 Snow Thrower is fitted with a 250cc Snow Series engine that delivers an impressive gross torque of 11.5 foot-pounds. It’s easy to power up this engine, thanks to its convenient Electric Start feature. This engine performs delightfully and delivers just the appropriate power amount to remove snow off your walkways.
This dual-stage thrower has a clearing width of 27”, meaning that it can dislodge and clear snow within a 27-inch wide path during a single-walk operation. It’s a significantly larger clearing width compared to similar models by Briggs and Stratton. This machine also sports an intake height of 20 inches, allowing users to remove deep snow with enhanced efficiency.
Another unique feature of the Briggs and Stratton 1696619 Dual-Stage 250cc Snow Thrower is its dash mounted chute rotation feature. This works in conjunction with the machine’s chute deflector to remove all undesired snow from the yard. In addition, it comes with a powerful LED headlight and strong-grip tires measuring 14 inches by 4 inches.
This particular snow thrower is designed to last for decades, thanks to its steel parts. The chute, frame and notched auger of the Briggs and Stratton 1696619 Snow Thrower are all made of durable steel, allowing them to handle all snowy conditions easily. In addition, its gearbox is forged using sturdy aluminum to guarantee longer life while saving weight.
It weighs 189 pounds (85.7 kilograms), which is actually lighter than most snow throwers manufactured by the likes of Poulan and Husqvarna. This might be a great choice for customers who require a unit that’s compact, relatively lightweight, and easy to maneuver.
Briggs & Stratton offers a 3 year warranty that protects the equipment and engine against material and workmanship defects. This particular unit uses synthetic oil for enhanced performance.
Convenience and design
The Briggs and Stratton 1696619 snow thrower features a free hand control feature that allows operators to maneuver it using a single hand. The disengaged hand can be used to adjust the controls. This feature helps eliminate the normal inconveniences users face when operating their snow blowers.
This equipment also comes with steel reversible skid shoes that simplify the snow-plowing process. Users will derive more convenience when maneuvering this particular snow thrower through thick snow.
The Briggs and Stratton 1696619 model has a compact, ergonomic design to enhance user comfort during operation. This includes the simple electric start and friction disc transmission.
Pros
- Electric start button for a painless start even in extremely cold conditions
- Its 250cc engine is powerful enough to remove snow of varying depths.
- The free hand control feature that allows operators to drive the equipment using one hand is certainly a huge plus.
- This model is protected by an impressive 3-year warranty. It’s also built to last.
Cons
- Assembling the new unit might prove challenging to some users. It requires a careful study of the assembling instructions.
Feedback from previous buyers
Most customers on Amazon are happy with this product. 74% of buyers awarded it a 4-star rating or higher. Most previous customers love this Briggs and Stratton 1696619 model, deeming it a powerful product that runs great.
According to buyers, the engine powers through any type of snow consistently – it’s perfect for removing stubborn snow buildup during winter.
The equipment’s simple start-up is also a delightful feature that most customers like. The only issue was with the abysmal assembly instructions that come in the box. Some buyers complain that these instructions should be more elaborate and easy to follow.
Warranty
Briggs and Stratton offer a warranty of three years that protects the engine and equipment from material damage and workmanship defects.
Conclusion
The Briggs and Stratton 1696619 Snow Thrower dislodges vast amounts of snow and is easy to start. In addition, its engine really packs a punch – it delivers around 11.5 foot-pounds of torque and handles heavy snowfalls with tremendous ease.
Its panel deflector control and free hand control features are a thing of beauty. This array of exquisite features makes this unit a worthwhile investment.
Check out the other great two stage snow blowers we have tested.
